These were three Japanese, members of the Society of Jesus, crucified for the Catholic Faith at Nagasaki in Japan. Saint Paul Miki was thirty-three when he was martyred. Saint James Kisai, a lay brother, was sixty-four and Saint John de Goto was nineteen. With them suffered a Spaniard, Saint Philip of Jesus, a Franciscan, born in Mexico City. He was also crucified. With them also were martyred twenty-two other heroic Franciscans. When Saint Paul Miki was dying on the cross, at the age, as we have said, of thirty-three, these were his last words: “I pray that all Japanese people may walk on the only true road that leads to God. How happy I am, like my Saviour, at His own age to die for Him, and like Him, on the cross.” His last two words were, “Jesus! Mary!”
Saints Paul Miki, John de Goto & James Kisai, ca 1880.
Abbey Church, Drongen, Belgium (Credits)
